Tug-of-war is one of the oldest games played by man - and canine. But when you and Rover are engaging in this age-old battle of strength, are you sending him the wrong message?

"Tug of war, for some reason, has gotten a bad rap," says Best Friends professional trainer Lisa Judge (North Plainfield, NJ). "When played correctly, by your rules, tug-of-war is actually a natural outlet for energy and exercise, and promotes real bonding between you and your dog." What's more, Judge added, some dogs have a very high "play drive," and a game of tug-of-war can be used as a reward.

Puppy play
If possible, begin playing tug-of-war when your pet is just a puppy. This way, you can establish guidelines for acceptable behavior right from the beginning.

Start by teaching the most important part of the game: the "drop it" or "release" command. This command will be used for many situations, and will prove very valuable! When the dog does release on your command, praise him, give him another tug toy and keep initiating the game. The dog will be more likely to release a toy if he knows he's going to get it back again.

Judge stresses that it is imperative that you decide when it's time to play. This reinforces your role as the "alpha", the leader who makes all the decisions for the pack.

Tug toys
Choose the right toys for the game. Don't use socks unless you're willing to give up all the socks in your household - including the ones you may be wearing. Make sure any rope toys don't have frayed ends, which can become lodged in the dog's teeth or get swallowed.

While knotted ropes are a popular choice, your end of the rope shouldn't be strong enough to pull out a tooth. Some pet owners find it amusing to launch their pet in the air as he's dangling by his teeth at the end of the toy. However, this can prove harmful to the pet. Not only can teeth get yanked out, but the jawbone could fracture, and the pet could get injured if he lets go while in midair.

Play by the rules
The game starts and stops when you decide. Failing to release the toy when commanded stops the game as well, as does running away with the toy or becoming too possessive of it. Of course, stop playing if the dog becomes too excited or aggressive. Growling does not necessarily indicate aggression during tug-of-war. It is a natural behavior for many dogs.

Never chase your dog to get the toy back. Offer a different toy instead, or simply ignore him.

Stop playing if the dog's teeth make contact with you at any time - even by accident. The dog must learn that it is never acceptable to bite or nip.

Benched
Some animal behaviorists theorize that tugging on a toy appeals to an animal's innate sense of hunting and fighting for survival. Therefore, it's best that dogs with aggressive or possessive tendencies not engage in tug-of-war. Also, dogs that show aggression towards humans should not be allowed to play.

For more information on training and proper exercise for your dog, visit or contact your local Best Friends Pet Care center.